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Delaware Startups Can Apply to Win Over $10,000 + Prizes in Emerging Enterprise Center’s Swim with the Sharks Pitch Competition Wilmington, Delaware – Applications are now open for the Emerging Enterprise Center’s Shark Tank-style 12th Annual Swim with the Sharks Pitch Competition, presented by the Delaware Division of Small Business. Delaware entrepreneurs will have the chance to compete for a $10,000 Grand Prize grant (provided by the New Castle County Office of Economic Development initiative NCC Innovates) and additional cash and prizes to help them launch and grow their business. The competition finals will take place on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. at Penn Cinema. Application is open until August 5, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. EST. This event aims not only to award funding to a deserving startup but also to celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit that fosters economic growth, provide essential pitch training and feedback, and showcase innovative startups in Delaware. As one of Delaware’s original pitch competitions, Swim with the Sharks has showcased the ingenuity of over 100 Delaware entrepreneurs, investing over $100,000 in cash and thousands more in additional prizes to local startups since 2012. The competition has contributed to the success of founders such as Mac Nagaswami of Carvertise, Karin Roseman of Deer Valley Danes, and Amira Idris of TheraV, among many others. How to Apply Applications can be submitted via our online form available on our website: https://eecincubator.com/sharks-application Eligibility The Swim with the Sharks Pitch Competition is open to for-profit businesses within the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce traditional service areas that have been in business for fewer than five (5) years. This includes all three (3) Delaware counties (New Castle, Kent, and Sussex). Entrants must have a valid business license at the time of submission, a presence in Delaware, and be available to pitch in person at the finals on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. at Penn Cinema in Wilmington, Delaware. Important Dates -Deadline for submissions: August 5, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. EST -Eligible submissions invited to present semi-final pitches: August 12-28, 2024 -Winner announced live: September 25, 2024 Grand Prize Package: -Cash Prize: $10,000 (Provided by NCC Innovates initiative of the New Castle County Office of Economic Development and more to come!) -Emerging Enterprise Center Virtual Incubator Program: $3,600 Value One year membership that offers office and conference space, mail and phone services, mentorship, networking and business education. -New Castle County Chamber of Commerce (NCCCC) Membership: $350 Value - One year membership that gives a new business networking opportunity, visibility, credibility, training, advocacy, and promotion. -NCCCC Premium Marketing Package: $1,400 Value - Free advertising and marketing opportunities. Runner-up Prize: -Cash Prize: $2,500 (Provided by WSFS, Delaware Division of Small Business and more to come!) People's Choice Award: -Cash Prize: $1,000 (Provided by SCORE Delaware) Finalist Package: -New Castle County Chamber of Commerce (NCCCC) Membership: $350 Value - One year membership that gives your business networking opportunities, visibility, credibility, training, advocacy and promotion. All eligible submissions will be invited to present a five (5) minute pitch before a panel of judges. Judges will have the opportunity to ask questions. Finalists will be selected based on a combined score of the written and oral presentations. The finalists will present a five (5) minute pitch to a panel of judges live in person in Wilmington, Delaware. The winner will be selected based on a combined judge/audience vote. Former winner Adam Stager, the founder of TRIC Robotics said, “so many people became aware of what we are doing because of this [competition]. I am urging all start-ups in Delaware to apply to this. It has been an amazing opportunity.” If you would like to join us in showing why the first state is the best state for business, register as sponsor or email bortolottoa@ncccc.com to make a prize contribution. Donations may be tax-deductible. About the Emerging Enterprise Center The Emerging Enterprise Center is a non-profit business incubator dedicated to ensuring the success of local entrepreneurs providing expert guidance to fast track their learning curve, connecting businesses with the resources they require and offering affordable office space within a supportive environment. As an initiative of the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce, the incubator and accelerator program offers 5000 sq. ft. of affordable office and co-working space, conference rooms, professional business development, expert mentorships, office amenities, and connections that are vital to the success of new business start-ups and entrepreneurs Our mission is simple—help build sustainable businesses. Since opening our doors, we have helped over 85 companies and entrepreneurs achieve their goals. Through our incubator program, we have helped create over 989 new jobs and have generated more than $178 million in revenue. For more information about the Emerging Enterprise Center, visit www.eecincubator.com.
Delaware Startups Can Apply to Win Over $10,000 + Prizes in Emerging Enterprise Center’s Swim with the Sharks Pitch Competition
Wilmington, Delaware – Applications are now open for the Emerging Enterprise Center’s Shark Tank-style 12th Annual Swim with the Sharks Pitch Competition, presented by the Delaware Division of Small Business.
Delaware entrepreneurs will have the chance to compete for a $10,000 Grand Prize grant (provided by the New Castle County Office of Economic Development initiative NCC Innovates) and additional cash and prizes to help them launch and grow their business. The competition finals will take place on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. at Penn Cinema. Application is open until August 5, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. EST.
This event aims not only to award funding to a deserving startup but also to celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit that fosters economic growth, provide essential pitch training and feedback, and showcase innovative startups in Delaware.
As one of Delaware’s original pitch competitions, Swim with the Sharks has showcased the ingenuity of over 100 Delaware entrepreneurs, investing over $100,000 in cash and thousands more in additional prizes to local startups since 2012. The competition has contributed to the success of founders such as Mac Nagaswami of Carvertise, Karin Roseman of Deer Valley Danes, and Amira Idris of TheraV, among many others.
How to Apply
Applications can be submitted via our online form available on our website: https://eecincubator.com/sharks-application
Eligibility
The Swim with the Sharks Pitch Competition is open to for-profit businesses within the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce traditional service areas that have been in business for fewer than five (5) years. This includes all three (3) Delaware counties (New Castle, Kent, and Sussex). Entrants must have a valid business license at the time of submission, a presence in Delaware, and be available to pitch in person at the finals on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. at Penn Cinema in Wilmington, Delaware.
Important Dates
-Deadline for submissions: August 5, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. EST
-Eligible submissions invited to present semi-final pitches: August 12-28, 2024
-Winner announced live: September 25, 2024
Grand Prize Package:
-Cash Prize: $10,000 (Provided by NCC Innovates initiative of the New Castle County Office of Economic Development and more to come!)
-Emerging Enterprise Center Virtual Incubator Program: $3,600 Value One year membership that offers office and conference space, mail and phone services, mentorship, networking and business education.
-New Castle County Chamber of Commerce (NCCCC) Membership: $350 Value - One year membership that gives a new business networking opportunity, visibility, credibility, training, advocacy, and promotion.
-NCCCC Premium Marketing Package: $1,400 Value - Free advertising and marketing opportunities.
Runner-up Prize:
-Cash Prize: $2,500 (Provided by WSFS, Delaware Division of Small Business and more to come!)
People's Choice Award:
-Cash Prize: $1,000 (Provided by SCORE Delaware)
Finalist Package:
-New Castle County Chamber of Commerce (NCCCC) Membership: $350 Value - One year membership that gives your business networking opportunities, visibility, credibility, training, advocacy and promotion.
All eligible submissions will be invited to present a five (5) minute pitch before a panel of judges. Judges will have the opportunity to ask questions. Finalists will be selected based on a combined score of the written and oral presentations. The finalists will present a five (5) minute pitch to a panel of judges live in person in Wilmington, Delaware. The winner will be selected based on a combined judge/audience vote.
Former winner Adam Stager, the founder of TRIC Robotics said, “so many people became aware of what we are doing because of this [competition]. I am urging all start-ups in Delaware to apply to this. It has been an amazing opportunity.”
If you would like to join us in showing why the first state is the best state for business, register as sponsor or email bortolottoa@ncccc.com to make a prize contribution. Donations may be tax-deductible.
About the Emerging Enterprise Center
The Emerging Enterprise Center is a non-profit business incubator dedicated to ensuring the success of local entrepreneurs providing expert guidance to fast track their learning curve, connecting businesses with the resources they require and offering affordable office space within a supportive environment. As an initiative of the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce, the incubator and accelerator program offers 5000 sq. ft. of affordable office and co-working space, conference rooms, professional business development, expert mentorships, office amenities, and connections that are vital to the success of new business start-ups and entrepreneurs
Our mission is simple—help build sustainable businesses. Since opening our doors, we have helped over 85 companies and entrepreneurs achieve their goals. Through our incubator program, we have helped create over 989 new jobs and have generated more than $178 million in revenue.
For more information about the Emerging Enterprise Center, visit www.eecincubator.com.